On Air Questions to Ask Scouts

Suggested questions to ask the youth on the air. Originally provided to support the World Scout Jamboree operation, but can be used to support any Radio Scouting event including Jamboree on the Air.

Note: The intent with this list is to ask questions that elicit responses that are more than a simple “yes/no” or simple one or two sentence response. The goal is to carry on a conversation that is both engaging and enlightening, which helps them to overcome any stigma they may have being “on-the-air”, and at the same time enlighten them and possibly learn more about the hobby at the same time.

Where do you live, and what is your favorite thing about your hometown?

What are your favorite things to do when not in school, and why?

How long have you been in Scouting, and what rank are you now? What was the most memorable thing you have done in scouting, so far?

What are your favorite sports teams, and do you participate in any sports? What position do you play?

How long have you been in Scouting, and what is your favorite activity? Do you do any of that activity outside of Scouting and if so, why?

Do you have any pets? What kind? Do you take care of them, or do your parents? What was the most interesting thing your pet did (does)?

What things at the Jamboree have you done so far? Do have a favorite yet, and if so what?

What is your favorite subject in school? Do you hope to go to university to further study that subject?

Do you have a subject in school you don’t like? Why?

Have you ever talked with someone from another country? If so, from where and what was the most interesting you talked about?

Is this your first experience with Ham Radio, and why did you go to the NA1WJ station?Was it curiosity, or something else? If not your first experience with Ham Radio, what interested in you to doing it again?

Did you know you are talking with someone over _____ kilometer/miles from where you are located? Do you have any idea how that can happen without the internet? Can you guess how?

Have you ever heard of Samuel Morse, or Marconi? Do you know what contributions they made to Ham Radio? Have you asked the operators at the NA1WJ station to teach you?

Have the operators at your location explained the antennas/radios to you? Can to tell me about them?

Has the operator explained to the Q codes ham radio operators use? Can you carry on a conversation using as many of those as possible? Let’s try.

What is the weather like at the Jamboree?

What other activities/events have you participated in beside the Jamboree? If so, which ones did you like the most/look forward to and why?

Have you met a lot of people from other countries and who was the most interesting?Why?

Do you know other languages beside your native one? If you know that language, talk with them in it.

What is the most interesting thing about your native country, and why?

Are there places in the US or other countries you have been fascinated with, and if you were given the choice, would you visit them again, and why?